Dental health following cancer treatment Treatment for cancer often increases the risk for dental problems. As a cancer survivor, it is important for you to understand the reasons why dental care is especially important for maintaining your health. What are the risk factors for dental problems after cancer treatment? Treatment with chemotherapy before your permanent teeth were fully formed. Radiation that included the mouth and/or salivary glands, such as the following: Cranial (whole brain) Craniospinal Nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) Oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) Orbital Eye Ear Infratemporal (midfacial area behind the cheekbones) Cervical (neck) Cervical spine (spine in the neck area) Mantle (neck and chest areas) Total body irradiation (TBI) What dental problems can occur following treatment for cancer? Problems that may be a result of chemotherapy include: Increased risk for cavities Shortening or thinning of the roots of the teeth Absence of teeth or roots Problems with development of tooth enamel resulting in white or discolored patches on the teeth, grooves and pits in the teeth, and/or Easy staining of the teeth Because teeth develop slowly, these problems are more likely to develop in people who received chemotherapy over a prolonged period (several years).
Problems that may be a result of radiation to the mouth and/or salivary glands include: Increased risk for cavities Shortening or thinning of the roots of the teeth Absence of teeth or roots Faulty development of tooth enamel resulting in white or discolored patches on the teeth, grooves and pits in the teeth, and/or easy staining of the teeth Small teeth Early loss of teeth Baby teeth not falling out Problems with tooth development or delayed eruption of permanent teeth Increased risk of tooth sensitivity to hot and cold sensation Xerostomia (dry mouth due to decreased production of saliva) Alteration in taste Trismus (limited ability to fully open the mouth) Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (causing pain in front of the ears) Malocclusion (bite problem, such as overbite or underbite) Abnormal growth of bones of the face and neck Periodontal (gum) disease What can be done for these problems? Taking care of teeth and gums is always important, and it is even more important if you have had radiation or chemotherapy. If your gums are not healthy, they can shrink away from your teeth, causing infection in the bone supporting the roots. This bone can dissolve away slowly, causing the teeth to become loose. This condition is called periodontitis, which simply means an inflammation surrounding a tooth. Periodontitis can be prevented be proper brushing of your teeth and gums and by flossing between your teeth at least once a day. Taking good care of your teeth and gums, combined with routine visits to your dentist, can prevent the development of cavities and gum disease. If your permanent teeth do not develop normally, you may need caps or crowns in order to improve your smile and the function of your teeth. Sometimes reconstructive surgery is needed to correct poor bone growth of the face or jaw. Radiation can sometimes make it difficult to open your mouth fully (trismus), or cause some scarring and hardening of the jaw muscles (fibrosis). Stretching exercises for the jaw may reduce fibrosis and improve your ability to open your mouth. Your dentist will be able to instruct you or refer you to occupational therapy to learn these exercises. If you have crooked or small teeth, this may be improved by bonding. If braces are needed, your dentist will do a panorex x-ray of the teeth to see if the teeth, roots and supporting bone are strong enough for braces. If you had high doses of radiation to the face or mouth and you require dental surgery, you may be at increased risk of developing a bone-healing problem (osteoradionecrosis) after the surgery. Your dentist should discuss this potential problem with a radiation oncologist prior to any dental surgery. If you had an allogeneic bone marrow or stem cell transplant (from a
donor other than yourself), it is important to let your dentist know, so that the dentist can check for long-term complications indicating chronic graft versus host disease. What is xerostomia and what should I do if I have it? Dry mouth, also called xerostomia can occur after radiation to the head or neck. Other problems related to xerostomia include persistent sore throat, burning sensation in the mouth and gums, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or dry nasal passages. Dryness of the mouth is a result of decreased saliva and/or thickening of the saliva, and can lead to the development of cavities. This usually happens only with radiation doses of 40 Gy (4000 cgy/rads) or higher to the mouth and/or salivary glands. Drinking liquids frequently and the use of artificial saliva can help relieve the symptoms of xerostomia. Sugar-free candy stimulates salvia production. Proper brushing habits are very important for people with xerostomia, as is limiting the intake of candy and other sweets. Your dentist may recommend application of a fluoride gel to your teeth at least once a day. The fluoride acts on the enamel of your teeth to make it more resistant to decay. Ask your dentist about whether you should use daily fluoride. Should I take any special precautions when having dental work done? Always let your dentist know if you have the following health conditions: Shunt (surgical placement of a tube to drain fluid from the brain) Limb salvage procedure (replacement of bone with a metal rod or bone graft) Leaky heart valve (this sometimes happens after radiation to the chest) In any of these situations, bacteria that normally enter the bloodstream during dental work can result in serious infections. As a precaution against infection, if you have any of these conditions, you should take antibiotics before any dental work. The antibiotics should be prescribed by, or discussed with, your dentist. You should also let your dentist know if you have had a splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen) or if you have had high doses of radiation (30 Gy 3000 cgy/rads or more) to the spleen.
What is the risk of developing oral cancer? People who have had radiation to the head and neck may be at increased risk for oral cancers. Using tobacco in any form or using alcohol in combination with smoking greatly increases this risk. Your dentist should perform an oral cancer screening exam during each visit. If you notice any of the following, notify your dentist immediately: A sore that does not heal or that bleeds easily A change in the color of your mouth tissues A lump, thickening or rough spot in the mouth Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips Most of the time, these symptoms do not indicate any problem, but a dentist can tell if they are the sign of a serious problem. What should I do to keep my teeth and mouth as healthy as possible? Follow these recommendations (unless your dentist recommends otherwise): See your dentist regularly at least every six months. Make sure that your dentist knows your health history and the treatment you received. (Ask your oncologist for a summary of your treatment). Be sure that your visit includes an oral cancer screening, and be sure to notify your dentist if you notice any warning signs of oral cancer. Have a panorex x-ray done before dental/orthodontic procedures to evaluate the root development of your teeth and determine if any modifications need to be made to your dental treatment plan. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. o Use fluoride-containing toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay. o Place your brush at a slight angle toward the gum when brushing along the gum line. o Use a gentle touch, since vigorous brushing could irritate your gums. o Clean all surfaces of the teeth. o Brush your tongue to remove bacteria that can cause bad breath. Floss your teeth once or twice a day. Floss carefully between teeth because brushing alone does not remove plaque between teeth. Use a gentle touch to avoid injury to gums. It is normal to have a small amount of bleeding when flossing, but if the bleeding increases or your gums are red and puffy, this may be a sign of infection and you should notify your dentist. Use antibacterial, alcohol-free fluoride mouth rinses (your dentist can recommend the best ones for you). Drink liquids frequently and/or use artificial saliva (available at most pharmacies without a prescription).
Apply fluoride frequently. Your dentist may recommend a daily fluoride rinse or gel that you can use at home after brushing, in addition to the special fluoride application you may receive at your regular dental cleanings. Limit sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods. Do not use tobacco products and use alcohol only in moderation Notify your dentist immediately if you develop any signs of infection in your mouth or gums, such as redness, tenderness, excessive bleeding of gums, painful teeth, and/or increased areas of sensitivity. For more information about dental health issues following childhood cancer treatment: American Dental Association website (click on Oral Health Topics ) www.ada.org Patient Centers website (click on Head and Neck ) http://www.patientcenters.com/survivors/news/reading.html Works Cited Adapted from Children's Oncology Group Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers http://www.survivorshipguidelines.org/